The best free events and festivals in NYC

Shop 'til you drop at FAD Market, a curated fashion, art and design pop-up marketplace, which is back for 2025. Expect to see your favorite makers plus brand new creatives to help you live smarter, gift better and support local businesses.  FAD—which stands for Fashion, Art and Design—takes over different venues with a horde of independent vendors and creators. Admission is free and dogs are welcome! Peruse handmade jewelry, apparel, skincare products, tableware, artisanal packaged food, and more. Whether you're shopping for you or a friend (or even getting an early on that holiday shopping), there are plenty of local gems to pick up.  Here's the upcoming FAD Market schedule for 2025 August 9-10: Summer Market at Empire Stores in Dumbo August 16-17: Governors Island market September 6-7: Fall pop-up at Empire Stores in Dumbo September 21: Market at Open Streets on Montague  October 4-5: Fall pop-up at Empire Stores in Dumbo October 18-19: Market at Brooklyn Brewery October 25-26: Fall pop-up at St. Paul in Cobble Hill November 8-9: Fall pop-up at Empire Stores in Dumbo December 6-7: Holiday pop-up at Empire Stores in Dumbo; holiday pop-up at St. Paul in Cobble Hill  December 13-14: Holiday pop-up at Empire Stores in Dumbo; holiday pop-up at St. Paul in Cobble Hill  December 20-21: Holiday pop-up at Empire Stores in Dumbo; holiday pop-up at St. Paul in Cobble Hill 

It’s hard to get good food on the cheap, but for ten years, Queens Night Market has prided itself on offering the city’s best eats for just $5-6. Ranked one of the best food festivals in the U.S., the foodie festival runs on Saturday nights through the summer at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.  There will also be other items sale besides food, including vintage apparel, handmade jewelry, ceramic products, locally produced art pieces, crochet toys, stationery, and much more. In its existence, the market has attracted over three million visitors, helped launch 450 new businesses in New York and represented more than 95 countries through its vendors and their food. In 2022, the event averaged over 15,000 attendees each Saturday night. 

This isn't your grandma's Bingo game. Instead, head to the The Standard High Line for three nights of Bingo with a spooky twist this October. The Halloween edition of Not Your Standard Bingo is happening at The Standard High Line every Sunday at 9pm until October 26. Book a table for you and your crew for one of the following nights: October 12 is Michael Myers Bingo; October 19th is Halloweentown Bingo; and October 26 wraps up with Addams Family Bingo.